Builder&#39;s level



March 28, 19540 H. OSCAR 2,502,232,

' BUILDERS vLEVEL Filed Feb. -12,49474` 's sheets-sheet 1 l 5? .J-" /r Ilm ll Il :inventor .Harry Oscar Y W wa..

.... 4 M. .9 i H ,0,7 vl, .um M4 M/ L fm, wl\ 4 A 4 a 5 v (lttotneg 2K8, 1950 H, OSCAR 2,502,232

BUILDER's LEVEL l Filed Feb. 12, 1947 s rsheets-sheet 2 llllill Snnentor arr/ Oscar (Ittorneg -Mmh 2s, 195o F11-ed Feb. 12 i947 H. OSCAR BUILDER' S LEVEL' 7l WIM@ 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 d Snnentor aya/"ry 05cm attorney Patented Mar. 28, 19'5 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BUILDERS LEVEL Harry Oscar, New York, N. Y.

Application February 12, 1947, serial No. 728,13'8

` (ci. 31a-207) 12 Claims. l

This invention relates to builders levels.

An object of the invention is to provide a builders level which is particularly adapted for leveling wall or other base surfaces in connec tion with plastering operations, or the like.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a device of the character described, an elongated member. which has mounted thereon level indicating elements and which is further provided with means for removably securing the device to a wall surface or the like.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide, in a device of the character described, adjustable means for positioning the device with respect to a base surface in combination with level indicating means for leveling the device in planes parallel and normal to said base surface together with means for securing the device to the base surface in leveled position.

Stilll another object of this invention is to provide in a device of the character described, a level indicating member which is normally mounted flush with a surface oi the device but may be pivoted outwardly of said surface, when vthe device is in use.'

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide, in a device of the character described,

g meansfor securing the device to a wall sur- 'to said wall surface or the like. i

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious, and in part hereinafter pointed out. '-5 The invention accordingly consists inthe features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of` which the scope o-f application will'be indi'- cated in the following claims. In the accompanying drawing, in which is shown various possible illustrative embodiments of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the builders level embodying the invention; *i Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the details of the upper portion of the builders level;

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View on the line 3-3 'of Fig. 2;'

' Fig. 4 is a front plan view of a portion of the level;

Fig.. 5 is a. cross sectional view on the line 5--5 otFie. 4: v

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of a portion of the level showing vthe pivoted leveling means in the operative position;

Fig. 7 is a front plan View of a portion of level showing the securing means;

Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view on the line 8--8 of Fig. '7;

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view of the level 'showing the securing means in a pivoted position preliminary to its movement into an operative position;

Fig 10 is a cross sectional view taken on the line iik-II) of Fig. 7; and

Fig. l1 is a cross sectional View of a portion of a level embodying the invention and illustrating a modied construction.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, II) designates a builders level embodying the invention. The same comprises an elongated, gen orally rectangular member II of Wood, metal or the like. The member I comprises a front face I2, a back face I3 parallel thereto, parallel sides It, I5 and parallel ends I6, I'I. The member II is formed at one end thereof with a through opening I8 which extends from front face I2 to back face I3, for the purpose hereinafter described. The member I I iS further formed with a circular through opening I9 spaced fro-in opening I8 and in alignment therewith. Within the opening I9 is mounted a tubular spirit bubble type level indicating element 20, with its axis extending parallel to the faces I2', I3 and at right angles to the sides I4, i5 of the member I I. The member I I is also formed on` each of the sides I4, I5 with a groove 2l which extends' longitudinally from end I6 to end I'I. The member Il is further formed with a centrally located, rec" tangular shaped through opening 22 which lies intermediate the openings I8 and 2G. Onvtlie `face I2 of memberII', adjacent the ,openingv 22 and extendingoutwardly therefrom area pair of aligned recesses 22a. Between the opening 22 and la, the member Il. is formed on its face l2 with an elongated,l substantially rectangular shaped recess 23 havingr upwardly curved end portions 23a from which extends a circular, down wardly inclined, through opening 24,. to face I3, for the purpose hereinafter described. Betweenl the openings 22 and I9 the member II is-formed on its face I2 with an elongated rectangular shaped recess 25 for the purpose hereinafter de-l scribed.

The member II is also formed at its other end with a recess 25, and. an opening 22 similarto the those described above and located on correon the inner surface of cover 25 to which is screwed a screw 3i passing through the cover and a knob 3Ia for moving the keeper into engagev ment with the upper portion of the frame 26.

Within the recess 25 there is secured a fitting 32. The fitting 32 comprises a member 33 comprising ears 33a, which is fixed by means of a screw 34 to an end portion of the recess 25. Pivoted to a pin 33h mounted in ears 33a of member 33 is a projecting portion 35a of a member 35, which is formed with a threaded recess portion 36. A tubular spirit bubble type level indicating element 31 which comprises a threaded shank portion 38, is screwed into the threaded recess portion 35 of the member 35.

A U-shaped wire member 39 or the like, with outwardly projecting end portions 46 loosely journaled in side portions of the inner face of cover member 28 surrounds a mid portion of the tubular level indicating element 31 in spaced relation thereto. A consideration of Figs. and 6 will indicate how the tubular level indicating element 31 may be brought into an operative position by opening the cover member 28. The pivoted movement of cover 28 will carry with it the pivoting level indicating element 31 by means of the U-shaped member 39, whereby the leveling indicating element 31 will assume a horizontal position as shown in Fig. 6.

Mounted on the face I2 of member Il over the opening 22 is a positioning means 4I which comprises a fixed member 4Ia and a movable member 4Ib. The member 4Ia comprises a central portion 42 having a thickness less than the thickness of member I I and received within the opening 22 and projecting side portions 43 received within recesses 22a and extending to the sides I4, I5. of member II. The member 4Ia is secured to member I I by means of screws 44 passing through the side portions 43. The portion 42 is formed with a centrally located through opening 45 and a pair of aligned openings 46, positioned on either side of opening 45. Mounted within the opening 45 is a screw 41 comprisingl a threaded shank portion 48, a recessed, flat head portion 49 and an intermediate portion 50 formed with an annular recess 5I therein. A pin 52 extends through portion 42 in engaging relationship with the annular recess 5I of the screw 41 whereby the screw is retained for rotatable movement within the opening 45 of the portion 42. In each of the openings 46 there is force fitted an inwardly projecting pin 53. On the face I3 of member and lying flush therewith is an apertured member 54 which frames the opening 22 and is secured to member II by screws 55. The movable member 4I'bcomprises a rectangular block 56 comprising vparallel plane surfaces 51, 58 and parallel edge CII gaged by screw 41. The block 56 is further formed with a pair of recesses 60 extending inwardly from the face 51 and adapted to receive pins 53 for slidable movement therein. It will be apparent from a consideration of Fig. 3, the block 56 which constitutes a position means may be moved inwardly or outwardly by turning screw 45, the movement of the block being guided by pins 53. The edge 58a of the block 56 may be provided with spaced markings, as shown in Fig. 6 for the purpose hereinafter described.

Mounted within the recess 23 and in conformity therewith is a securing means 6I comprising a fixed member 62 and a pivoted member 63a. The fixed member 62 has a length slightly less than the overall length of the recess .and is centrally located therein. The same comprises a bottom wall 64, from which extends a pair of parallel side walls at right angles thereto. EX- tending outwardly of each wall 65 is a flange 65 which lies iiush with the surface I2 of the member Il and is secured thereto by screws 61 or the like. The bottom wall 64 is formed with a through opening 64a which is in registry with the through opening 24 in the member II. A transverse pivot pin 68 is mounted between the walls 65 at one end of the member 62. Mounted for pivotal movement on the pin 68 is the member 63 which comprises a rectangular arm 69 tting between the walls 65 and extending beyond the end of the member 62 to a point just short of the end of the recess 23. The arm 69 has a beveled end portion 69a on the inner surface thereof which constitutes a finger hold. The arm 69 is formed with a threaded opening 16 adjacent the pivoted portion thereof. A curved metal member 1I comprising a threaded shank portion 12 at one end thereof and a pointed portion 13 at the other end thereof, is screwed into the threaded opening 1I! in arm 69. The position as well as curvature of member 1I is such as to permit the member to freely pass through the openings 62a, 24 with the pointed portion bearing on the back face I3 of member II, when the arm 69 is in the position shown in Fig. 8.

The positioning means and the securing means 6I are duplicated on the lower portions of the-member II as shown in Fig. 1 and include all the corresponding elements as described above.

The device may he suspended on a hook or the like when not in use by means of the opening I8 in the member II.

In using the builders level I0, the arms 59 of the securing means 6I are first moved outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 9. The device may then be positioned adjacent a wall or other base surface with the outer surfaces 58 of the blocks 56 in contact therewith and is leveled in `planes parallel to the Wall by means of the tubular level indicating element 29. The cover 2B is opened thereby exposing the tubular levelindicating element 31 which moves with the cover 28. The device is then positioned with respect to the base surface by turning the screws 41 which move the blocks 56 in the appropriate direction until the level indicating element 39 indicates the proper position. When the device has been leveled it is secured to the wall surface by moving the arms 69 inwardly thereby carrying the curved members 1I together with the Apointed portion 13 through the openings 54a and 24 in the member II, into fastening engagement with the wall or other base surface. The curved form of the member 1I is particularly adapted'tov insure a rm grip with respect to the base surface. The curvaaccisa-sa ture-'ofthe member also permits the fastenn ing element to have its pointed portion 13 bear on the reary face of the elongated member I when the securing means is not in use thereby avoiding the hazards of an exposed pointed member. While in this position the level may be used as a guide means for plastering trowels and the like such as those disclosed in applicants copending application, Ser. No. 722,408, filed January 1948. To this end, the trowels described in the copending application may be mounted on the device with portions thereof engageable with the grooves 2| in member |I, thereby permitting slidable movement of such trowels with respect to the device. The device may be removed from the base surface by moving the arms 69 outwardly thereby releasing the curved member 13 from engagement with the base surface,

i In Fig. 11 is shown a modied construction wherein the positioning means 4| may be mounted on side portion of member Il rather than the base I2 as shown in Fig. 2. This permits the level I to be used with a side Aportion thereof adjacent a base surface. In this case, the tubulanlevel indicating element 2D is used to level the device in conjuction with the adjustment of positioning means 4|. The tubular level indicating element 31 is used to level the device in directions parallel to the wall or other surface` The parts of the positioning means 4| shown in Fig. l1 are similar to the corresponding parts of the positioning means shown on Fig. 3. The markings on the blocks 56 facilitate the adjustment of the level with respect to a base surface.

It will be apparent that the device embodying the invention disclosed herein may be used as either a builders level or as a combined level and guide for plastering operations.

It will thus be seen that there is provided a device in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

y As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawing is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent: 1. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member, level indicating means thereon, adjustable means on said member to position said member relative to a base surface to position said member in leve1 condition as indicated by said indicating means and means on said member to attach said member to said surface in said position said last means comprising a curved penetrating member, pivoted on said elongated member, said penetrating member being adapted to anchor into said base portion upon pivotal movement thereof.

2. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member, level indicating means thereon and means on said member to attach said member to a base surface in a level position relative to said base surface as indicated by said indicating means said last means comprising a curved penetrating member, pivoted on said elongated member, said penetrating member being adapted to anchor into said base portion upon pivotal movement thereof.

3. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member, level indicating means thereon,

6, adjustable means on said member to position said member relative to a base surface tofpositi'on said member in level condition as indicated by said indicating means and means to attach said member to said surface in said position, said level indicating means being mounted on said elongated member for pivotal movement relative to said elongated member, pivoted means on said elongated member for covering said level indicating means, means on said pivoted means to retain said level indicating means relative to said pivoted means during the movement of said pivoted means whereby movement of said pivoted meansy relative to said elongated member will impart similar movement to said level indicating means.

4. In a device of the character described, an elongated member, said elongated member beingA formed with an elongated recess, -a cover member hingedly connected on said member and enclosing said recess, level indicating means mounted within said recess, said level indicating means comprising a pivoted supporting member, and a level indicating element mounted on said supporting member, means on said cover member engageable with said level indicating element whereby movement of said cover member will impart related movement to said level indicating element.

5. In a level construction, an elongated member comprising a face portion, said member be ing formed with a recess on said face portion, a level indicating element pivotally mounted within said recess, a cover mem-ber enclosing said recess hingedly mounted on said member and means on an inner portion of said cover encircling said level element in spaced relation thereto, whereby hinged movement of said cover will produce related movement of said level element.

6. In a device of the character described, an elongated member, said elongated member being formed with an elongated recess, a cover member hingedly connected on said member and enclosingsaid recess, level indicating means mounted within said recess, said leve1 indicating means comprising a pivoted supporting member, and a level indicating element mounted on said supporting member, means on said cover member engagable with said level indicating element whereby movement of said cover member will impart related movement to said level indicating element, said pivoted supporting member comprising a xed member and a member formed with a socket movably secured to said xed member, said level element comprising a portion removably received within the socket of said movable member.

7. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member, level indicating means thereon, and hand operated means to attach said member to a base surface in a level position relative to said base surface as indicated by said indicating means, said attaching means comprising, a pivot on said elongated member, a lever member rotatably mounted on said pivot, said lever member comprising an arcuate portion positioned on said member, the axis of said arcuate portion being at said pivot, said arcuate portion being adapted to surroundingly engage a portion of said base surface upon operation of said attaching means.

8. In combination, a leve1 comprising an elongated member, level indicating means on said member, hand operated means on said member to secure said member to a base surface in leve1 position as indicated by said level indicating means, said securing means comprising .a lever arm having two ends, one end of which is pivotally mounted on said elongated member, penetrating means mounted on said lever arm intermediate said ends and nearest to said pivoted end, whereby hand movement of the other end of said lever arm will, under mechanical advantage, carry said penetrating means into engaging relationship with said base surface.

9. In a device of the character described comprising an elongated member, said member being formed with through openings on end portions thereof, means on each end portion of said member for securing said member to a base surface, each of said securing means comprising a pivot on said elongated member, a lever member rotatably mounted on said pivot, said lever member comprising an arcuate portion positioned on said member so as to move substantially in the circumference of a circle about said pivot when said lever is operated, said arcuate portion being adapted to pass through said openings in said elongated member and hookingly engage said base surface upon operation of said securing means.

10. In a device of the character described, the combination of an elongated member joined with a through opening on an end portion thereof, and means on an end portion of said member for attaching said member to a base surface, said attaching means comprising a Divot in said elongated member, an armv swingably mounted n said pivot, and a curved penetrating means on said arm, whereby actuation of said arm when attaching said member to said base surface will cause said penetrating means to pass through the opening in said elongated member and hookingly engage said base surface.

11. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member formed with a through opening in an end portion thereof, and means on a surface 0f said elongated member for attaching said member to a base surface, said attaching means comprising a. pivot pin in said elongatedmem-f ber, an arm rotatably mounted on said pivot pin, and a curved hooking member on said arm, the

opening in said elongated member being inclinedwith respect to said surface of the elongated member whereby said hooking member may pass therethrough upon movement of said arm.

l 12. In combination, a level comprising an elongated member, level indicating means thereon, a longitudinal recess in one side of said elongated member, and means on said member to attach said member to a base surface in a level position relative to said base surface as indicated by said indicating means, said attaching means comprising a lever member pivotally mounted in said longitudinal recess and rotatable thereinto, and penetrating means on said lever member adapted to engage said base portion upon movement of said lever member into said recess, said elongated member being formed with a through opening communicating with the bottom of the recess and said penetrating member projecting through said opening to the other side of said elongated member.

HARRY OSCAR.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 191,389 Ward et al. May 29, 1877 423,484 Martin Mar. 18, 1890 508,294 Famous Nov. 7, 1893 508,762 Risse Nov. 14, 1893 879,112 Saegmuller Feb. 11, 1908 986,140 Clarke Mar. 7, 1911 1,153,760 Butler Sept. 14, 1915 1,167,237 Wikberg Jan. 4, 1916 1,221,644 Woods Apr. 3, 1917 1,794,254 Sherwood Feb. 24, 1931 2,154,625 Kleineschay Apr. 18, 1939 

